Chef wins culinary apprentice of the year award

A Guernsey apprentice said he was "honoured and surprised" to win this year's Cavagnetto/Lions Club Culinary Apprentice of the Year Award.

The Guernsey Institute (TGI) said apprentice Harry Gribbens, 21, had demonstrated the "most progression and the most promise" as he was presented with the award at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts.

The college said Harry had a "natural flair in the kitchen" and was committed to ongoing improvement.

Mr Gribbens said: "It was an honour to win such a prestigious award and such a surprise to have my name on the shield."

The 21-year old, who works at Alba's in Market Square, said his passion for cooking had helped him to progress "a lot in the past year".

"The whole evening was a privilege to be a part of and I'm excited to see what the future may bring," he added.

The award was presented by Mario and Carlo, sons of Piero Cavagnetto who owned the Casa Cavagnetto restaurant on the west coast of Guernsey during the 1960s.

Mr Cavagnetto was a member of the island's Lions Club charity and, following his death, his family wished to create an award in his memory.

Sally Warburton Ward, TGI head of department, hospitality & catering, said: "We're very grateful to Mario and Carlo Cavagnetto for their ongoing support of our young apprentices.

"A huge congratulations to Harry. I look forward to seeing how his career develops in the future."

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